Page 100 of The Keeper

Piper pushed back to meet each of my thrusts, breathy moans escaping her lips. “Harder, baby. Please…”

I picked up the pace, pounding into her with abandon. The soundof skin slapping against skin filled the small office, punctuated by our grunts and gasps of pleasure.

My fingers found her clit, rubbing tight circles as I fucked her. “Come for me again, darlin’. One more time.”

Her inner walls fluttered around me as she neared her peak. With a strangled cry, she came undone, her whole body shaking as waves of pleasure washed over her. The pulsing of her pussy pushed me over the edge, and I came with a hoarse shout, spilling inside her.

We collapsed onto the couch, panting heavily. I held Piper close, caressing her belly and feeling the slight movements within. “So, about that Head Frosting position,” I teased, catching my breath as I brushed a stray lock of hair off her damp forehead.

She giggled, the sound bright and clear in the quiet of her office. “You think you’ve earned it after one morning’s work?” she quipped, her green eyes still hazy from the orgasms.

“Darlin’, after that, I think I’ve earned a fancy title.” I pressed a soft kiss to her lips, the taste of her lingering on my tongue.

Piper hummed thoughtfully, a playful smile curving her lips. “Maybe we should make it an official position. You being here is good for staff morale.”

“It sure as shit better be,” I replied, tightening my arms around her. “If the benefits package includes exclusive private baking sessions with the owner and quality control taste tests by the Head Frosting Technician himself, count me in.”

“You’re hired,” she said, her voice husky, her body relaxed against mine. We lay entwined on her office couch, a tangle of limbs and satisfied sighs, the stress of the bakery’s grand opening forgotten until the timer on Piper’s watch went off.

“All right, Head Frosting Tech,” she said with a groan. “Break’s over. Back to work.”

***

Pride swelled in my chest as I watched Piper move through the busy bakery, completely in her element as she chatted with patrons and recommended sweets with her infectious smile.

The day had flown by in a tornado of non-stop activity, with customers lining up at the door before we’d even opened. Not that I was surprised.

Swoonworthywas Piper’s vision brought to life, combining her love of romance novels with her passion for baking to create a bakery unlike any other.

Forest green bookshelves lined the walls, displaying some of her favorite romance novels, along with hanging baskets of plants and colorful artwork depicting classic romance novel covers. Low couches and overstuffed armchairs were scattered among the tables and chairs, creating what my wife had referred to for the last six months as a “bohemian café vibe.”

She’d poured her heart and soul into this place, and it showed in every carefully curated detail down to cleverly named menu items inspired by her favorite tropes—enemies-to-lovers eclairs, secret baby beignets, cinnamon roll hero.

When the late afternoon crowd thinned, I joined Piper’s mom on one of the couches, watching my wife work her magic. Even seven months pregnant, she was a bundle of energy, flitting from table to table.

“This is amazing,” Nikki said, shaking her head in amazement. “I mean, I knew she had talent, but this...this is something else.”

I nodded in agreement, unable to keep the grin off my face. “She’s incredible. I don’t know how she’s still going strong. I’m dragging ass, and all I’ve done is stand around looking pretty for most of the day.”

She laughed. “Well, you know Piper. Stubborn as hell and twice as determined.”

“That must be where this little stink gets it from,” I said, reaching over to ruffle Avery’s curls. She pushed my hand away with an annoyed grunt, intently focused on the movie playing on her tablet. “Gets her brattiness from her mama too.”

The bell above the door chimed, and I glanced up to see a familiar face enter, watching with amusement as Nikki’s demeanor instantly shifted. She sat up straighter, her fingers fidgeting with her long, dark hair.

“Nails,” I said, standing up to clap him on the shoulder when he approached our table. “You’re a hell of a long way from home, brother.”

“Yeah. I, uh, had some club business with Bear. Thought I’d stop inon my way out of town,” he answered distractedly, his eyes locked on Nikki’s. “Hey, Nik. Been a while.”

His smooth drawl held a thrum of something deeper, and her lips twitched into a barely there smile, leaving me feeling like I was on the outside of some inside joke between them.

“Ethan,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink.

The chemistry between them was nothing short of a badly kept secret. Everyone could see it—everyone except them, of course. An awkward silence fell over our table as the two continued stealing glances at each other.

Nikki tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing a large hickey on the side of her neck. Maybe they weren’t so oblivious after all. I bit back a smirk, deciding to have a little fun.

“Looks like you’ve got a little something on your neck right there, Nikki,” I said casually, leaning in to inspect it closer. “Almost looks like you got bitten by something…or someone.”

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